Closure-applying machine.



L. c. GARMAN. CLOSURE APPLYING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 10; 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEfT I L'. C. GARMAN.

CLOSURE APPLYING MACHINE.

nrucmou mm act. 24. I9!!- Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- L. C. GARMAN.

CLOSURE APPLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24. 1911.

1 00,482 I Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

8 ZZZ/mamas.-

J/l'w/ z w w f Q' 07 Z i7 /a;wy{a/ L. C. GARMAN,

CLOSURE APPLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED on. 24. 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- Patented. Oct. 10, 1916.

-- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAURITz c. GARMAN, or BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, Ass enoR To THE CROWN eonxa SEAL COMPANY or BALTIMORE cITY, or B LTIMQRR, MARYLAND, A CORPORA- TION OF MARYLAND.

' Baltimore, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Closure-Applying Machines, fully described and represented in the following ceptacles in cases.

specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the Same.

This invention relates'to machines for applying closures to receptacles.

The general object of the invention is .to produce an improved mechanism for applying closures to "receptacles which shall be economical in construction, certain in its operation, and in which the various mechanisms shall be under full control of the op-.

erator of the machine.

More, specifically considered, the invention has for its object to produce an 1m-. proved machine for applying closures to receptacles in which the receptacles are arranged in cases, the closures bemg applied to a plurality of receptaclessimultaneously, the application of the closuresbemg effected by a power mechanism which 1s in turn controlled by a suitable actuating mechanism, the actuating mechanismalso controlling other operations incident to the advancing and proper positioning of the receptacles and the supplying. of closures thereto.

The invention further extends-to certain details of construction as will appear later and which it is not necessary to specifically refer to at this point. p I

With these and other objects not specifically referred to in view, the invention consists in certain constructions, and in certam parts, improvements and combinations as will be'hereinafter fully described and then' specifically pointed out.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of certain mechanism which may be employed for operating the closure supplying mechanism. Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation on the irregular line 44= of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation on the irregular line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6, 9 and 10 are detail viewsof oer-- Ztain controlling mechanism which may be employed to; properly position the closures as they are being fed to the receptacles.

cLosuRn-ArrLYING MACHINE.-

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed October-'24, 1911. Serial No. 656,408.

chine base.

Patented 'Oct. 1 1916.

locking mechanism which may be employed in connection with the adjusting mechanism. Machines embodying the invention will include an advancing mechanism which, in machines embodying the invention in its best form, will be constructed to advance the re- While the particular construction of this case advancing mecha- I11SII1 may be varied, as illustrated there is provided a reciprocating bar 1 having pivoted thereto, at 2, a series of gravity pawls 3. This bar 1, which is inthe form of a T.-bar, is supported in guides 4 fast to a cross-bar 5 forming a part ofthe machine frame. The guides at are secured to frame arms 6, two of these frame arms being carried on supporting brackets 7 secured'to a standard 8 forming a part of the frame. These arms 6 serve to support guideways 9 on which the boxes or cases, one of which is indicated at 10, travel.

The machine as illustrated is particularly designed for applying closures to bottles, such as milk bottles, and the case 10 is of the usual construction employed for shipping such bottles. It is provided with'spac- Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views of a certain so I ing wires 11, 12 arranged atright angles to for each bottle. The bottles rest on other wires 13 arranged to form a supporting base. It is tobe understood, however, that the invention is not to be confined to machines for applying closures to milk bottles, nor is it to be confined to the use of the particular case described.

In the operation of the machine so far described, cases are placed on the ways 9 and the bar 1 is reciprocated. As the bar reciprocates toward the right, as the construction is seen in Fig. 1, the pawls 3 tip down and pass under any cases which may be on the ways. As the bar is moved to the left, the pawls engage with the rear side widely varied. As shown, the actuator mechanism includes -a shaft 1e supported in bearings 15. (see Fig. 2) bolted to the ma- When, as will usually be the case, in machines embodying the invention, the-actuator mechanism is operated by hand,

and an actuating shaft is employed, the shaft will be provided with an operating handle, as 16. The connections between the actuator shaft and the case advancing mechanism may be of any suitable character. In the particular construction illustratedthere is provided an arm or lever 17 having a slot 18 engaged by a pin 19 on a bracket 20 bolted to the bar or slide 1. This lever 17 is pivoted on a rod 21 supported in bracketswhich carry the bearings 15. The lever 17 is provided. with a slot 22 23, the part 23 being formed on an are which is struck from the center of the shaft 14 while the part 22 is straight. The shaft 14 is provided with a. web-like lever 24 having on one side a pin 25 which engages the slot 2223. As the shaft 14 is rocked the pin 25 moves through the slot 22-23. While it is passing through the straight part 22 of the slot the lever 17 is rocked, but while the pin is passing through the curved part 23 of the slot the lever remains stationary.

Machines embodying the invention in its best form will include an abutment or support for sustaining the receptacles during the application of the closures thereto. In machines embodying the invention in its best form, this abutment or support will usually be of such a character as to raise or lift the receptacles a certain extent, this being particularly true when the machine is to operate on receptacles which are contained in cases, for the reason that cases are ordinarily so constructed that'there is not room between the rows of receptacles to per-- mit the closure applying mechanism to operate satisfactorily. In the particular construction illustrated, this abutment or lifter mechanism comprises a series of supports 26 carried on web-like projections 27, the supports and projections being formed in one piece with hubs 28. The construction is such (see Fig. 5) that slots 29 are formed between the supports, these slots being so positioned that the supports can pass freely between the wires 13 which form the bottoms of the cases. In the particular construction shown, each 0f the supports 26 is provided with a face or carrier block which may be detachable, for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to. While the construction of this detachable face or carrier block may be varied, as shown (see Figs. 4 and 5) the block has an elastic face 30 supported in a base 31. This base is provided with a dovetailed rib 32 which engages with a dovetailed slot in the top of the carrier. The carrier is provided with a spring locking pin 33 which engages a depression in the bottom of the carrier. With this construction the face of each of the supports may be re IOVCd for renewal when required.

11 the commercial cases now usually emploved for shipping milk bottles, the-bottom wires are. lower for cases which are to contain half pint bottles than for those which are to contain quart bottles. As the bottles are smaller, also, they do not require a support of as large an area. as the larger bottles. With the construction shown, the supports may be readily detached and faces of smaller area employed on some of the supports, the others being allowed to work idly which they can do as they will not reach to the bottom wires after their faces have been removed.

The mechanism employed for operating the abutment or lifter may be varied within Wide limits. In the particular construction shown, however, the hubs 28 before referred to have passing through them a rod or shaft 34 to which is secured a pair of toggle arms 35 connected (see Fig. 4) to other toggle arms 36 by a shaft or rod 37. The toggle arms 36 are mounted on a shaft 38 supported in bearings secured to a base block 39.

The mechanism for actuating th'e abutment operating mechanism may be varied and will, of course, vary according to the particular construction of operating mechanism employed. In the best constructions, however, embodying the invention. the abutment operating mechanism will be actuated from the actuator which operates the ease advancing mechanism. As. illustrated (see Fig. 1) the shaft 21 carries a lever 40 having a slot 414243. This slot is engaged by a pin 44 mounted in the lever 24, this pin being on the opposite side of the lever from the pin 25. The lever 40 is connected by a link 45 to a pin 46 on one of the toggle arms 36. The parts of the slot in the lever 40 which are marked 41 and 43 are concentric with the center of the shaft 14, but the part of the slot marked 42 is not. As the lever 24 moves, therefore, there is no movement of the lever 40 during the time the pin 44 is in engagement with the parts 41 and 43 of the slot, but while it is passing through the part 42 the toggle is straightened and the lifters or abutments 26 are carried up into engagement with the row of bottles and carry them up so that their tops are well above the top of the case and thetop of the adjacent row of bottles, thus giving an opportunity for the" closure applying mechanism to operate upon them. lVith the con struction described, when the shaft 14 is operated by the handle 16, the bar or slide 1 which forms a part of the advancing mechanism is first operated to advance the case i this movement that the movement of the,

through the concentric part 41 of the slot in the lever 40, so' that there is no movement of the toggle mechanism, it being during slide is effected. As the movement of the slide stops, the pin 44 passes into the part 42 of the slot 414243, and the toggle is straightened. t

In constructions embodying the invention in its best form supplemental operating devices will be employed to relieve the actua tor mechanism to some extent from the work incident to lifting the abutment which is necessarily more orless heavy. While these supplemental devices may be variously arranged, in the particular machine shown (see Fig. 5) the hubs 28 are bored to receive the ends of guide rods or pins 47 having shoulders 48 which limit the extent to which the rods can pass into the hubs, the rods being secured in the hubs by set screws 49. The base block 39 has guiding sleeves 50 secured to it through which these rods pass into sockets 51 formed in a cross-head 52. The sockets 51 contain springs 53 of such a character that when they are placed under tension, as they willbe when the abutment is lowered or in the position shown in Fig. 4, the tension is about sufficient to support the weight of the abutment; The actuator mechanism, therefore, has comparatively little work to do as the abutment starts to move, the action of the springs assisting materially in lifting it.

The closure applying mechanism employed may be varied widely in construction. The particular mechanism illustrated, however, is adapted toapply flanged metal caps of the typewell-known as crown corks. In machines embodying the invention in its best form, the closure applying mechanism will be operated by power, and

the power mechanism will be controlled from the actuator which operates the advancing mechanism and the lifter abutment. In the particular machine illustrated, the power mechanism embodies a main shaft carrying a crank disk 54 provided with a crank pin 55. This crank pin is connected by a link 56 to a pin 57 located in a boss in the cross-head 52, this cross-head forming, in the particular machine illustrated, a part of the power operating mechanism. The crank shaft is provided with a driving pulley 59. In the best constructions embodying the invention, the power mechanism will be of such a character that the power shaft makes one revolution and is then stopped. \Vhile this may be effected in. various ways, in the construction illustrated, the pulley 59 is.loose on theshaft and is connected thereto by a single revolution clutch, generally indicated at 60. Clutches of this type are well-known in the art and a specific description or illustration is retuated by a lever 61 pivoted at 62 to the frame of the machine. The connections by which the actuator controls the power mechanism may be varied, but in the construction illustrated the lever 61 is provided with a rib 63 which projects sufficiently from the side of the lever so that it may be used as a treadle, if desired, and to this rib is connecteda rod 64 in turn connected by a pin 65 to a distance link 66 which surrounds the shaft 14. The pin 65 is in the path of a lever 67 having a hooked end, this lever being fast on the actuator shaft 14. The lever 67 is so positioned that as the shaft 14 is rocked and after the pins 25 and 44 have actuated the levers 17 and 40, the further movement of the shaft depresses the rod 64 I traveling-in the part 23 of the slot 22-23,

these parts of the slots being, as before pointed out, concentric with the center of the shaft 14. In the machine described, thereiore, when the actuator shaft is operated, the slide is first moved to advance the bottles, the abutment mechanism is then operated to raise a row of bottles, and the power mechanism is then tripped to operate the closure applying devices, these operations all resulting in proper order from a single movement of the shaft 14. On the reverse movement of the shaft, the trip mechanism is first restored to its normal position, the abutment mechanism is then operated to lower the row of bottles, and the slide is retracted and positioned for another forward movement.

In the particular machine illustrated, the

caps are applied by means of devices hereinafter described, the cap applying devices being mounted on a cross-head 68. In machines embodying the invention in its best form, the construction should be such that the position of the closure applying devices may be varied according to the height of-the bottles to which the closures are to be applied. While the construction by which this is accomplished maybe varied, in the particular construction illustrated, the crosshead 68 is provided with threaded sleeves 69 which are engaged by threaded ends 70 of connecting rods 71 extending down through openings in the cross-head 52. The rods 71 have reduced ends 72 which fit into the openings in the cross-head, the rods being secured in posltion by nuts 73. The rods pass through guiding sleeves or caslngs 74 \VlllCll form a part of the frame construction, bearrods and the gear hubs are provided with registering key-ways in which are inserted keys 81 (see Fig. 2) held in position by the collars 80. The spiral gears 77 are in engagement with spiral gears 82 (see dotted lines in Fig. 5) mounted on a shaft 83 extending across the machine. The shaft 83 is or may be provided with an operating handle 84. (see Fig. 2). In the particular machine shown, the crosshead 68 is recessed to form casings in which are located sleeves 85 which rest on shoulders 86 formed in the cross-head casting. The lower end of each sleeve is reduced in diameter, as shown at 87, this reduction providing a shoulder 88 against which bears a stiff spring 89. The other end of this spring bears against a shoulder 90 on a washer 91 pressing against a cap 92 threaded into the chambered casting. The lower reduced end of each sleeve is surrounded bv a collar 93 which is partly split, as shown in Fig. 10, so that the collar may be firmly clamped on the reduced end of the sleeve by a bolt 94. Each of these collars 93 is provided with an inwardly projecting rib 95. This rib on its upper surface abuts snugly against the lowerreduced end of the sleeve 85 and the under side of the rib forms a seat for an annular bending die 96 having a cone-shaped interior, this construction of bending die being well-known in the art for applying flanged metallic caps. A cap holding plunger 97 passes through thedie 96, this plunger being provided with a shoulder 98 which is forced against the shoulder 011 the lower end of the sleeve-85 by a light spring 99. This spring surrounds the stem 100 of the plunger and bears at its upper end against a shoulder 101 formed on the washer '91. The cap 92 is chambered out, as indi" cated at 102, so as to permit the plunger stem 100 to move up into it.

Machines which embody the invention in its best form will include a plurality of closure applying mechanisms such as have been just described, and a magazine, which serves, through suitable instrumentalities, to sup ply the closures thereto. While the construction of this magazine may be varied, in

the machine shown the front side of the cross-head 68 is faced 0d and forms the rear wall of the magazine, the front wall being formed by a plate 102 secured in any suitable way to the rear wall and spaced suifi ciently therefrom so as to form a chamber which will receive and hold a number of closures. In the best constructions embodying the invention, the magazine will be provided with guides 103 located near its bottom which guides serve to direct the closures in different paths out of the magazine. Chutes will be employed to convey the closures from the magazine to the cap applying devices.

lVhile the particular construction of the chutes may be varied, they will, in the best constructions be made movable so as to assist in feeding the caps therethrough. In the particular construction illustrated, the rear wall of each chute is formed by providing each of the collars 93 with a recessed plate 104 resting in a recess 105 formed on the front of the cross-head 68. The front wall of each chute is formed by a bent plate 106, each of these plates being provided with slots which are engaged by guiding screws 107 on the front face of the magazine. The bent plates 106 lead to slots formed in guides 108 which are carried by the collars 93. These guides are each provided with an interior angular shoulder 109 on which the flared out flange of the closure rests.

In the operation of this closure applying mechanism, after a row of bottles has been lifted. by the abutment and-the top of each bottle of a row has entered the mouth of its guide 108, the power mechanism is tripped and the cross-head descends. As the cross-head descends, the top of each bottle picks up its cap and carries it up against the plunger 97. The plunger 9 holds the cap firmly in position and as the crosshead continues to descend, the plunger is forced back against its comparatively light spring, the cap and bottle being forced up into the conical bending die 96. The spring 89 which holds the sleeve 85 is under an original predetermined compression which is suflicient to hold the sleeve practically immovable until the die has locked the flange of the cap around the shoulder of the bottle. As bottles vary in length, however, and as it is necessary to give the cross-head a stroke which will apply the closures to the shortest bottles, should some bottles be longer than others the spring 'will yield against the pressure of a long bottle and avoid breakage. In practical operation the movement of the cross-head with respect to the bottle is such that some compression of the spring occurs for every closure applying operation no matter whether the bottle be long or short. There is, therefore, some movement of the collars 93 and the chutes every time a closure is applied, so that the closures in the chutes and in the magazine are more or less agitated during the capping operation.

It is apparent that the bottles should be properly centered with respect to the closure applying devices, before the cross-head 68 is caused to descend, because if the bottles are not so centered they will be broken. A suit able stop mechanism should, therefore, be

employed which will prevent the operation of the cross-head in case, for any reason, an entire row of bottles or any bottle in a row is not properly centered with respect to the closure applying device. While various constructions of stop mechanism may be employed, in the particular construction illustrated the guides 108 are flared, as shown, and extended downward so that the mouths of the bottles should enter the guides before the lifter mechanism has completed its upward movement. If the bottles are slightly out of center the flaring mouths will guide them into proper position with respect to the applying devices. If, however, a row, or a bottle in the row, is out of center to such an extent as not to enter the mouth of the guide, the movement of the lifter mechanism will be stopped. It will be remem-- bered that the lifte mechanism is hand actuated, and if the operator feels a decided check to the movement of the lifter he knows that the bottles are not properly positione-d. As the movement of the lifter mechanism is checked, of course the power mechanism will not be tripped into operation and the cross-head and applying devices which are actuated by the power mecha- It will be observed that the closures fall down the chutes by gravity, and it has been found, in practical operation, that after a closure has been picked up by the top of a bottle and has entered the bending die, the closure behind it is liable to move forward slightly, so that its flange projects a very slight distance into the interior of the bottle guide, with the result that, as the cross-head retreats, a bottle which has had a closure applied .thereto is liable to be caught by the interference of the flange of its cap with the flange of the cap which has shifted forward into the interior of the bottle guide. In the best constructions embodying the invention means will he provided for shifting slightly the closure in the chute which is next behind the closure Y which is to be applied, so as to prevent its flange from catching the flange of the applied closure and thus causing the bottle to stick in the bottle guide. While the construction of this shifting mechanism may be varied, as illustrated there is provided a block 110 which is shaped to fit. around the collar 93, this block being arranged between the collar and the recessed plate 104:. This block is provided with pins 111 which extend down and engage the flange of the closure which is just behind the one which is resting on the shoulder 109 of the bottle guide' The block 110 has. a vertical movement and as it moves down and the pins engage the flange of the closure, tne closureis crowded back slightly, so that its flange does not project into the recess or throat through which the bottle moves. The movement referred to is a very slight one, usually not more than one-thirty-second of an inch, but it is suflicient to get the closure out of the way and prevent it from obstructing the release of the bottle to which a closure has been applied. While the movement of the block 110, when this form of retracting mechanism is employed, may be eflected in various ways, in the construction shown, there is provided a pair of arms 112 mounted on pivots 113 extending out from the recessed plate, 104. These arms 112 are provided with slots 114 which are engaged by pins 115 on the blocks 110. The arms 112 are carried on a'bar or rod 116 which has a socket 117 in which is located a headed pin 118 surrounded by, a spring 119 which rod 127 is stationary in the normal operation of the machine. It will be readily understood that as the cross-head moves down, the end of the lever 122 which carries the headed pin is free to move down which permits the arms 112 and the block 110 carried by the arms to drop, and the pins 111 to engage and retract the closure.

The closures ma be supplied to the magazine in any desire way, but in machines embodying the construction in' its best form they will be supplied by a selecting mechanism comprising a hopper 129 and a rotating selecting cage 130, the closures being thrown in 'an indiscriminate mass into the hopper and being selected by the movement of the cage and thrown out into a channel 131 which delivers them into the magazine. This selector construction is mounted on a bracket 132 .which is secured to the crosshead 68. The details of construction of this selecting mechanism are well understood in the art, and'a further description and illustration of it is unnecessary except with respect to the mechanism employed for rotating the selecting cage. YVhile the gotation of this selecting cage may be accomplished by any suitable mechanism, in machines cmbodying the invention in its best form, it will be accomplished by suitable connections from the actuator shaft, In the construe tion illustrated, the actuator shaft is pro which extends out from the rear of the cross-head 68. The stud 134 also supports a ratchet wheel 140 which is fast thereto. The stud 134 also has loosely mounted thereon a double pawl-carrier 141 having two pawls 142, 143. The shaft 14 is provided with an operating arm 144 which in turn has a slot 145 supporting a pin 146. Operating rods 147, 148 are connected to this pin and to tne pawl carrier. As the shaft 14 rocks, therefore, it is obvious that the pulley 135 will be continuously rotated in the same direction, first by one of the pawls'and then by the other. The bracket 139 carries a stud on which are mounted two pulley wheels 149, 150, and the shaft of the selecting cage, indicated at 151, is provided with a pulley wheel 152. A belt 153 passes around the pulley 135 and the pulley 149, and another belt 154 passes around the pulley 150 and the pulley 152. As the actuator shaft is rocked, therefore, it will be seen that the rotary cage is rotated this rotation continuing during the reciprocation of the capping heads. While, as has been indicated, other forms of mechanism for rotating this cage may be employed, the mechanism described has the advantage of producing an easy movement of the cage so that the liabilityof damaging or in uring the closures by its movement is avoided.

It has heretofore been stated that the cross-head 68 is adjusted in its position for varying heights of receptacles by rotating the rods 71, this being accomplished through a rotation of the shaft 83. Before any adjustment of the height of this cross-head is begun, the shifting mechanism should be loosened so as to prevent it being twisted or bent and thus rendered inoperative. In the best constructions, therefore, embodying the invention, a locking mechanism will be employed which will effectually prevent any adjustment of the head until the shifter mechanism has been released. While the particular construction of locking mechanism employed may be varied, as shown the rod 127 carries on its lower end a stirrup 155 surrounding the shaft 83. The hub of one of the spiral gears, this hub being marked 156 (see Fig. 8) is provided with a series of perforations arranged so that they may be engaged by a bolt 157 carried by the stirrup. The stirrup is further provided with a headed pin 158 located in a socket 159 in the stirrup and backed up by a spring 160. This construction holds the stirrup and the rod 127 up, so that the bolt 157 engages one of the perforations in the hub of the spiral gear and thus prevents the shaft 83 from being turned. In order to release the shaft, so that' it may he turned, the rod 127 is provided with a handle 161. By pushing down on the handle the stirrup may be forced down so as to disengage the bolt 157 from the hub of the spiral gear.

Before, however, the rod 127 can be pushed down by its handle 161, the nuts 128 and 126 must be loosened, and this loosening of the nuts allows the movement of the crosshead to take place without injuring the parts of the retracting mechanism.

Changes and variations may be made in the construction by which the invention claimed is carried into effect. The invention claimed, therefore, is not to be confined to the particular construction herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. i

What is claimed is 1. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles arranged in cases, the combination, with a case-advancing mechanism, of a movable abutment, a hand operated actuator, operating connections between the actuator and the advancing-mechanism arranged .to control the advance of said advancingmechanism during a portion of the movement of the actuator in one direction, connections between the actuator and the abutment arranged to control the elevation of the abutment during a succeeding portion of the movement of the actuator in the above mentioned direction, whereby on a single movement of the actuator 1n one direction a case is advanced and then the abutment is elevated, a closure applying mechanism, and means for operating the same.

2. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles arranged in cases, the combination with a case advancing mechanism, of a movable abutment, a hand operated actuator, operating connections between the actuator and the advancing mechanism and between the actuator and the abutment, whereby, on movement of the actuator in one direction, a case is advanced and then the abutment is elevated, and a power operated closure applying mechanism arranged to be set in action by the actuator as soon as the abutment has been elevated.

In a machine for applying closures to receptacles arranged in cases, the combination, with a case-advancing mechanism, a movable abutment, a closure-applyingmechanism, a power mechanism for driving said closure-applying mechanism, and a singlerevolution clutch arranged to set the power mechanism in operation, of a hand-operated actuator, and mechanism actuated by the movement of the actuator in one direction and arranged to first actuate the case ad vancing mechanism to advance a case, then elevate the abutment, and finally to actuate the clutch to. start the closure-applying mechanism.

4. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles arranged 'in cases, the combination with a reciprocating case feeder, of a lifter,- an' actuator shaft, connections between the actuator shaft and the case feeder for advancing'a case by a partial movement 'of the actuator shaft in one direction, connections between the actuator shaft and the lifter for elevating the-lifter by a further movement of the actuator shaft in the same direction, power operated closure applying mechanism, and connections whereby the ac: tuator shaft by a continuance of its movement in said direction sets the closure applying mechanism into operation.

5. In a machine for applying'closures to receptacles arranged. in cases, the combina-. tion with a reciprocating case feeder, of an actuator shaft, connections between the shaft and the feeder, a movable abutment,

a toggle mechanism for operating the abutment, and connections between the shaft and the toggle mechanism.

6. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles arranged in cases, the combination with areciprocating case feeder, of an actuator shaft, connections between the shaft and the feeder, a movable abutment, a toggle mechanism for operating the" abutment,

connections between the shaft and the. toggle mechanism, closure applying mechanism,

, and connections whereby the actuator shaft controls the mechanism.

7. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles arranged in cases, the combination with a reciprocating case feeder, of a lifter, a toggle mechanism for operating the lifter, an actuator shaft, an arm on the shaft, connections between the arm and the operation of said applying feeder and between the arm and the toggle mechanism, whereby the movement of the shaft operates the feeder and the lifter, and closure applying mechanism controlled by the actuator shaft.

8. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles, a receptacle lifter, operating means therefor, and supplemental operating devices for assisting the action of the operating means as the movement of the lifter begins.

9. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles, the combination with a receptacle lifter, of means including a toggle mechanism for operating the lifter, and supple-1 mental operating devices arranged to assist the toggle mechanism as the movement begms.

10. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles, the combination with a lifter mechanism,'of a toggle mechanism for operating the same, guides for controlling the movement of the llfter mechanism, and supplemental nection with the guldes.

11. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles, the combination with a lifter mechanism, ofa toggle mechanism for operating the lifter mechanism, guide rods for the lifter mechanism, sockets in-which the rods move, and supplemental lifting springs located in the" sockets and operating on the guides. Q

12. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles, the combination with means for advancing the receptacles, of a movable abutment, reciprocating closure applying devices including a magazine for the olsures, a selector for delivering the closures tothe ma azine, operating means forthe closure app ying devices, an actuator, and connec tions whereby the actuator eflectsthe operation of the advancing means, the abutment and the selector.

13. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles arrangedin cases, thd combination with case advancing mechanism, of a movable abutment, reciprocating closure applying devices, a magazine for the closures,

' a selector mechanism for delivering closures to the magazine, a power mechanism for operating the closure applying devlces, an

actuator and connections whereby the actuator effects the operation of-the advancing mehanism, the abutment, the selector mechreceptacles, the combination with operating means, of a cross-head, connections including threaded rods between the operating means and the cross-head, closure applying devices carried by the cross head, and means whereby the rods may be rotated to determine the relative position of'the cross-head and the operating means.

16. In a closure applying mechanism, the combination with operating means, of a cross-head, closure applying devices carried by the cross-head, connecting rods threaded into thecross head, and means whereby the "rods may be rotated to determine the position of the cross-head thereon.

17. In a machine for applying metal closures to receptacles, the combination, with the applying devices, of a chute for feeding a closure in position to be applied by the applying devices, a shifter for engaging the closure next the one so fed and changing its operating springs .acting in conposition, and means for moving said shifter tomove its closure prior to the applicationof the positioned closure.

18. Ina machine for applying metal closures to receptacles, the combination, with a bending die for bending a closure, of a chute for delivering a closure in a position beneath the die, a shifter arranged to move the closure next the one in position beneath the die, and means for moving the shifter to move its closure prior to the operation of the bending die on the positioned closure.

19. In a machine for applying to recep tacles metal closures having flanges, the combination with a bending die, of a chute for feeding the closures in position beneath the die, and a shifter provided with means for engaging the flange of the closure next the one in position and moving it back.

20. In a machine for applying-metal closures to receptacles, the combination, with closure applying means, of a chute for directing the closures thereto, a pair of shifter pins arranged to engage the closure next behind the one in place in the applying means, and means for moving said shifter pins to move the closure engaged by them before the applying means applies the positioned closure.

21. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles, the combination with a magazine, of a selector for delivering-the closures thereto, a plurality of feeding chutes which are movable with respect to the magazine and communicating therewith, and a plurality of closure applying devices towhich the chutes deliver.

2-2. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles, the combination with a magazine, of a selector for delivering closures thereto, a plurality of chutes communicating with the magazine-and movable with respect thereto, guides in the lower part of the magazine and leading to the chutes, and a plurality of closure applying devices to which the chutes deliver.

23. In a machine for applying closures t receptacles, the combination with a magazine, of a selector for delivering the closures thereto, said magazine having guides arranged near its bottom, a plurality of chutes connected to the magazine and movable with respect thereto, and a plurality of closure applying devices to which the chutes deliver.

2%. In amachine for applying closures to receptacles, the combination with means for advancing the receptacles, of a movable abutment, a hand operated actuator, connections between the advancing means and the actuator and between the abutment and the actuator, closure applying devices, power mechanism for operating the closure applying devices, and means for preventing the operation of the power mechanism if the receptacles are improperly positioned with the combination with means for advancing receptacles in cases, of a movable abutment, a hand operated actuator, connections between the actuatorand the case advancing means and between the actuator and the abutment, closure applying devices, a power mechanism for operating said devices, connections whereby the power mechanism is thrown into operation by the actuator, and elongated receptacle guides arranged to engage the receptacles before the abutment completes its movement and thus prevent the operation of the power mechanism in case any receptacle is improperly positioned.

27. In a machine for applying closures to receptacles, the combination with closure applying devices, of a chute for delivering closures in position beneath the applying devices, a shifter for moving the closure next the one delivered, a power mechanism for operating the applying devices, means for adjusting the position of the applying devices with respect to the bower mechanism, and a locking mechanism connected with'the adjusting means and the shifter whereby the adjusting means cannot be operated without releasing the shifter.

28. In a machine f0 applying metal closures to receptacles, the combination with a bending die, of a chute for delivering closures in position beneath the die, a shifter operating on the closure next the one delivered, a power mechanism for effecting the operating of the bending die, adjusting means for the power mechanism including a shaft, and locking devices connecting the shaft and the shifter, whereby the shaft cannot be operated to effect the adjustment unless the shifter is released.

2!). In a bottle capping machine, the combination of a capping head, a 'channel through which caps are fed edge to edge to the capping head by gravity, and means whereby the cap next following the one which is to be applied to the bottle, .vill be moved in a contra-feeding direction before the latter cap is applied to the bottle.

. bottle stoppers and the like which comprises a capping head having cap applying parts therein, a member stationary with respect to said head and containing a channel for conveying caps to a definite position with re-.

spect to said cap applying parts, and means 'for moving a succeeding cap along'sa id channel and away from a cap which has been operatively positioned with respect to said 'cap applying parts, whereby to prevent possible mutilation of one of said caps when the operatively positioned cap is applied to a receptacle.

31. A feeding and capping mechanism for bottle stoppers and the like which comprises a capping head having cap applying parts therein, a member stationary with respect to said head and containing a channel for conbottle stoppers and the like which comprises a capping head having cap applying parts therein, a member stationary with respect to said head and containing a channel for conveying caps to a definite position with respect to said cap applying parts, and means for moving a succeeding cap along said channel and away from a cap which 5 has been operatively positioned with respect to said cap applying parts, said means mcluding a movable finger adapted for engagement with said succeeding cap and mechanism for moving said finger.

33. In a bottle capping machine, the combination with a capping head, of a chute fixed with respect to said head and adapted to feed caps thereto, and a device adapted to engage a cap in the chute and move it away from the capping head while another cap isbeing applied to a bottle.

In testimony whereof,I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing LAURITZ G. GARMAN.

Witnesses:

HOWARD S. Glmms, H. M. LANTHE.

' witnesses. 

